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Chabahar–Zahedan railway nears completion, boosting regional trade prospects
The Governor of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, Mansour Bijar, has announced that the long-awaited Chabahar–Zahedan railway line will be completed and operational by the end of the year — a major milestone in expanding Iran’s trade and transit infrastructure.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ECO Interior Ministers’ Meeting in Tehran, Bijar said the project would transform southeastern Iran into a key regional trade hub. “Sistan and Baluchestan is Iran’s largest province and shares extensive borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The
Afghan border provides the shortest route to Chabahar Port, which is vital for Afghan traders,” he said.
Bijar explained that the railway forms part of Iran’s broader efforts to develop the coastal and North–South trade corridors, improving domestic transport and enhancing regional connectivity.
The province currently has three official border crossings with Pakistan and one at Milak with Afghanistan, along with several local trade points that help sustain border communities.
Highlighting Iran’s commitment to regional economic development, Bijar said trade initiatives must also improve livelihoods in border regions. He noted that four border markets are operational between Iran and Afghanistan and that two major free trade zones — in Chabahar and Sistan — have been revitalized.
“The Chabahar Free Zone faced administrative issues that we have now resolved, and the previously inactive Sistan Free Zone is back in operation with several companies launching activities,” he said.
Bijar also underlined the province’s strengthening ties with Oman and Pakistan. Maritime transport between Chabahar and Muscat now operates twice weekly, and talks are underway to launch a direct flight between Zahedan and Karachi.
He added that Pakistan remains an important supplier of essential goods to Iran, particularly during recent shortages of rice and red meat.
“Pakistan has significant capacity to help supply basic commodities,” Bijar said. “During the recent 12-day conflict involving the Zionist regime, we relied on imports from Pakistan to stabilize food supplies.”
He further noted that Central Asian nations could use Chabahar Port as their most direct route to international waters. “Once completed, the Chabahar–Zahedan railway will connect the port to Iran’s national rail network, creating a seamless corridor from the Indian Ocean to Central Asia,” Bijar said.
Emphasizing shared linguistic and cultural ties with Afghanistan and Pakistan, the governor said these connections would support greater regional cooperation. “Our goal is to use these cultural bonds to promote trade, development, and prosperity across the region,” he concluded.
With the completion of the railway, expanded free trade zones, and growing regional transport links, Sistan and Baluchestan is set to emerge as a vital gateway for regional commerce and integration.
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Afghanistan received more than $11 billion in humanitarian aid over the past five years
Afghanistan has received more than $11 billion in humanitarian assistance since the Islamic Emirate returned to power in August 2021, according to United Nations figures cited by the BBC.
Despite the substantial aid, the gap between humanitarian needs and available funding remains wide, with the United Nations warning that millions of Afghans continue to require assistance.
The decline in international funding, a growing number of people in need and the return of millions of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries have added pressure to the country’s humanitarian situation.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis deepened following the collapse of the previous government in August 2021. The depreciation of the national currency, the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs and reductions in some international support programs further strained the economy and living conditions.
UN data shows that Afghanistan received about $5.2 billion in humanitarian assistance in 2021, followed by around $3.8 billion in 2022 and nearly $2 billion in 2023.
For 2024 and 2025, the United Nations appealed for more than $3 billion to address humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. However, funding fell short of the amounts requested.
The assistance has largely been directed toward food, healthcare, support for returnees and other urgent humanitarian needs.
The United Nations continues to classify Afghanistan as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, stressing that sustained international support remains essential for millions of Afghans who continue to need assistance.
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Afghanistan expresses condolences over deadly Indonesia earthquake
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has expressed deep sorrow over a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia, killing at least 53 people and forcing around 5,000 others to evacuate.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Flores Island and surrounding areas on Saturday, blocking roads and triggering landslides, Indonesian authorities said.
In a statement, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its sympathy and condolences to the government and people of Indonesia over the casualties caused by the earthquake.
It also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.
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Afghan commerce minister meets Uzbek deputy prime minister in Termez
Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, met with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshed Khojaev in the city of Termez to discuss expanding economic cooperation and joint investment.
The meeting, held on Saturday at the Termez Trade Center, focused on cooperation in the electricity, mining and agriculture sectors, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce said in a statement.
Uzbek officials expressed interest in investing in various sectors in Afghanistan. The Afghan delegation welcomed the interest and emphasized its readiness to create the necessary conditions for expanding economic cooperation and joint investment.
Mohammad Yousuf Wafa, governor of Balkh, and Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Tashkent, also attended the meeting.
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